DIY Vertical Garden with Plastic Bottles (Growing Vegetables)

What do you do with the pile of plastic soda bottles, jars, containers, and other used materials? Throw it away, right? Well, you can grow vegetables in plastic bottles and build a DIY vertical garden using recycled containers, jars, and soda bottles.

Plus, the process of growing vegetables in plastic, containers, and other used materials isn’t even hard.

You will just need something to grow, like used (plastic bottles/containers/jars) scissors, wire, string, etc. 

Once you’ve all this then, you can set up your own food wall and grow vegetables; you’ll just have to decide what you want to grow (I’ll help you figure out), for example, spinach, mint, cherry, tomatoes, coriander, chilies, and many more things.

Right now, I’m living in a home where I have a balcony and a roof.

However, I’m still doing balcony vegetable gardening using plastic bottles on my balcony railings.

And this is what I will teach you in this DIY vertical garden with a plastic bottle guide.

This garden will feed you; it’ll make your space look more beautiful and also save your space.

 

Why Plastic Bottles Work Like Magic

I won’t exaggerate things why you need to use only plastic bottles. 

We buy too many things from the grocery stores, like soda bottles.

If I talk about myself, I sometimes buy Coca-Cola bottles of 2 liters, protein powder, creatine powder and many other things.

Most times, they come in something made of plastic, be it a bottle or container.

Just like me, many other people do, and often, they throw away these plastic items instead of reusing them for DIY vertical garden projects.

So, for me personally, it is better to use them to grow vegetables at home, especially in a small space garden or urban setting.

However, you can also use other materials as long as they can hold soil and water in them and allow airflow, which is essential for container gardening.

Here are a few more reasons why recycling plastic bottles is still better than many other materials to grow vegetables, herbs, and fruits at home.

• They’re too light (you can easily hang them anywhere, even for home decoration)
• They’re water-resistant (no rotting like wood)
• Easy to cut and punch (You won’t have to buy fancy equipment to cut them)
• Plastic bottles are often transparent (which will help you spot root issues)
• Best of all, it is FREE as you can use the same used soda bottles, Coca-Cola bottles, ice cream containers, etc. 

All you need is to shape them right and give them the right space, soil, and drainage.

Also read: Best Edible Plants You Can Grow In Florida

What Grows Best in Plastic Bottle Gardens?

If we use a little bit of common sense, we know that we cannot grow anything big in plastic bottles and containers like a mango tree, apple tree, lemon plant, etc. 

So obviously, when you are working with bottles, you want to go with fast-growing, shallow-rooted, and lightweight plants — ideal for small-space vegetable gardening.

Here is the list of the best vegetables, herbs, and fruits to grow in plastic bottles:

Best Vegetables to Grow in Plastic Bottles:

• Spinach: You can grow it during cooler weather, like from October to February. But for the All Green or Pusa Harit variety. 
• Lettuce: it’s a winter crop mostly, so you can grow a variety like Butterhead or Loose Leaf. These varieties don’t need deep root space. And you can keep it in a semi-shade if it’s too hot.
• Methi (Fenugreek): You can sow it at any time except during peak monsoon. This is one of the quickest leafy crops you’ll ever grow, as it is typically ready within 20–25 days. Just throw seeds and cover lightly with soil. (You can use it to make paratha & it smells really well)
• Coriander: It’s good to grow in cooler months. You’ll need to provide well-drained soil, or it rots easily in bottles. When growing, just soak seeds overnight and crush them slightly before sowing.
• Chilies: it’s a hot weather crop that topically grows in (Feb–Oct). You can grow G4 or small hybrid varieties. Btw, it needs deeper bottles or vertical type with soil till the bottom. A sunny spot is a must.
• Cherry tomatoes: they’ll need support, and you’ll have to choose a variety like Tiny Tim or Sweet 100. Don’t try big tomatoes, as you’ll only waste time because you won’t make it in a bottle. Needs daily sun and good airflow.
• Spring onions: You can grow directly from kitchen scraps. Just put the white bulb in a bottle of soil, water lightly, and soon it’ll start giving.
• Radish (mini type): You should go only with the small varieties like Pusa Chetki.

Grow Herbs in Plastic Bottles:

• Basil: it’ll need warmth and sun. Don’t overwater, and you’ll have to pinch off flowering heads to keep it leafy.
• Mint: It’s best grown from cuttings, and it loves moist soil but not soggy. Keep in a shady or semi-shaded area — perfect for growing herbs in plastic bottles.
• Thyme: Slow grower plant but happy in dry soil, but It needs full sun. Don’t pair with leafy plants, as it gets overshadowed.
• Chives: Perfect bottle candidate. You can Snip often, and it regrows. Grow in cooler weather for the best taste.
• Oregano: Needs full sun and hates too much water. Grows slowly at first but becomes a bush if you let it.

Fruits (if you must need):

• Strawberries: This one is best for winter, like from Nov to Feb, as it needs cool nights. It fits well in a balcony vegetable garden or hanging garden, especially in a compact plastic bottle planter. You’ve to use runners or small transplants. Works great in hanging bottle planters—berries will trail down.

These all love compact containers and vertical hanging systems. Big roots like potatoes or brinjals? Avoid. That’s not their party.

 

Prep the Bottles—Basic Method (No Overthinking)

Now you know all the vegetables, fruits, and herbs that can be grown in plastic bottles or containers in a small space.

However, now let’s talk about how you will prepare the bottle or the container to grow vegetables. 

So first of all, you will need a few one or 2-liter bottles—and by the way, soda bottles usually work better than milk jugs as they are stronger and ideal for soda bottle planter setups in your DIY plastic bottle garden.

Firstly, you will need to rinse them properly and then decide how you want to grow plants in the bottles: horizontally or vertically. 

However, I personally recommend growing vegetables like coriander in horizontal bottles, as this allows more surface area for the herbs to spread out.

If you’re growing plants like tomatoes or chilies, then growing them vertically is better since they benefit from deeper root space and upright support.

Here’s how to grow vertically or horizontally:

Horizontal Planter (Good for Herbs & Leafy Stuff):

1. You first want to lay the bottle flat.
2. Then, cut a big rectangle on one side (not all around, just one window).
3. After that, you’ll have to poke 2-3 small drainage holes on the bottom (opposite side of the cut).
4. Make two holes at least at each end of the bottle (for hanging via string or wire).

Vertical planter (great for leafy veg or trailing plants like strawberries):

1. Firstly, stand the bottle straight (cap side down or up—both work).
2. Cut a square window midway up (for planting).
3. Punch one hole near the base (for drainage).
4. You must loosen the bottle cap slightly if it’s facing down so water can drain (You can have a hole, too).

Optional: You can also paint them if you want UV protection or just want them to look less like old soda bottles.

But it’s totally up to you; I’d recommend painting or drawing if you also want to decorate your home using these plastic bottles.

 

Vegetable Garden Ideas Using Recycled Materials

Now you know all about growing vegetables in plastic bottles, so it’s time to learn how to arrange these bottles and containers. 

With a bit of creativity, these setups won’t just grow fresh produce; they will also double as a charming part of your home décor. 

You can hang them on a sunny balcony wall, stack them on a shelf, or line them up along a windowsill; each arrangement can bring a touch of green beauty to your space. 

Here are some of my favorite gardening with plastic bottles:

Idea 1: You can tie a series of bottles vertically using rope or a wire, one below the other.

Hang them from a hook, a grill, or even a nail in your ceiling.

Depending on the ceiling area and your creativity, you can hang plastic bottles as many as you want; by doing so, you can grow a lot of vegetables and herbs.

Idea 2: You can mount horizontal bottles on a wooden plank or directly screw them into a wall or the railing.

Idea 3: Using an existing tree like you have in a backyard is also a good option. Just loop ropes around branches and let bottles hang like veggie chandeliers.

Idea 4: Make a bottle grid, just have 4 to 5 horizontal bottles per row, 2–3 rows on a wooden frame. Think balcony wall garden.

One thing you want to keep in mind? Just don’t block sunlight. Let each bottle get its share. And always keep the drainage hole clear so water doesn’t rot roots.

 

Soil, Potting Mix & Planting—Don’t Mess This Part

You can’t throw some random backyard soil in plastic bottles to grow vegetables and expect that you will get some produce. 

Trust me, you won’t get anything. It will compact and suffocate the plant. Here is how you can do it in the right way.

Best mix: 1 part garden soil + 1 part cocopeat or sand + 1 part compost.

This will keep your soil light, airy, and rich, which is perfect for growing herbs and vegetables at home.

However, If you want to level up, then simply add neem powder (pest control) or perlite (extra drainage).

You’ll have to fill each bottle three-fourths. Press gently.

Plant your seeds/seedlings, water them a bit, and place them somewhere with partial to full sun, depending on the plant. You can also place bottles anywhere else, as I discussed above. 

 

How to Water Vegetables in a Vertical Plastic Bottle Garden Effectively?

You’ve got three solid options, depending on how simple or smart you want it. Let’s discuss one by one:

1. Watering Can (Slow and Easy):

This is what most people use traditionally, especially when growing vegetables & fruits at home (on a very small scale).

You just want to use a small watering can with a narrow spout. Pour slowly right near the base of the plant so you don’t splash soil. Morning or evening is best—less water gets lost to heat.

If you don’t want to pay to buy cans, then you can also use another bottle to provide water to the plants; it’s a free way.

2. DIY Pipe Setup (for clever hands):

• You will have to take a narrow plastic pipe (like a small aquarium tube or old IV line) and heat a knife tip on a gas stove.
• Use the hot knife to make tiny holes along one side of the pipe—just a few spaced out. 
• Lay that pipe across the bottle openings, but make sure the holes sit close to where the plant’s roots are.

When you want to water plants growing in recycled bottles, connect one end of the pipe to a small water tank, bucket, or even a large bottle with a tap.

Open the tap slowly, and it’ll drip right where the plants need it. Smart and cheap.

3. Drip irrigation Kit (Plug-and-Play):

If you can invest some money, then buy a ready-made drip irrigation line from any gardening store or Amazon. 

They usually come with connectors, thin pipes, and drippers. 

You’ll have to hook it to a water source, thread it through your vertical garden, and fix drippers near each plant. 

It’s clean, adjustable, and saves water long-term.

Pro tip: You should add hydrogel crystals to your soil mix if you’re living in a hot place. It will hold water like a sponge, which is good for plants.

 

Best Places to Hang Your Plastic Bottle Garden (Sunlight Tips That Matter)

Most vegetables that I’ve mentioned need around 4 to 6 hours of good sunlight. Herbs are a little less needy, and they’re okay within 3 to 4 hours. 

So, based on what you’re growing, you’ve to choose the place to hand bottles; here are some places we often have in our home, and you can use them for growing:

• Balcony railings: (east-facing is gold; you get morning sun, not the harsh west) You can also grow on a north-facing balcony, but you’ll have to choose plants accordingly. 
• Kitchen windows: (especially if you cook a lot, just snip and use, have herbs and veggies like coriander, mints, etc.)
• Tree branches: (only if they allow dappled light; don’t trap them in full shade)
• Terrace corners: (as long as it’s not too windy, you can tie bottles well or they’ll fly off)
• Grills near main doors or stair railings: (often ignored, but they’re still great for sun and airflow)

Remember that If your chosen spot doesn’t get full sun, you should stick to shade-tolerant plants like spinach, coriander, or mint. 

Besides this, rotate the bottles every few days if sunlight is uneven or the backside plants will sulk.

 

Common plastic bottle gardening mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Growing vegetables in plastic bottles is not a regular way of gardening. That’s why it’s normal for people to make some common mistakes. 

And if you haven’t done it before, you might also make some mistakes. Here are some things that you will have to avoid.

Mistake 1: Not enough drainage. Result: Waterlogged roots and dead plants.

Fix: Always poke those holes.

 

Mistake 2: Overwatering Plastic holds moisture better than clay pots.

Fix: Feel the soil before watering. If it’s damp, skip.

 

Mistake 3: Weak hanging systems Imagine 5 bottles crashing onto your neighbor’s scooter.

Fix: Use strong nylon ropes or wire. Tie knots tight.

 

Mistake 4: Using too much garden soil compacts like clay inside bottles.

Fix: Mix compost and cocopeat generously.

 

Mistake 5: Growing large-root plants Just don’t. They’ll get stunted.

Fix: Stick to shallow-root plants only.

 

Maintenance and Plant Care—No Babysitting Required

Plastic bottle gardens don’t need fancy tools. Just regular attention.

You’re not required to have fancy and expensive tools to take care of your plants growing in recycled material. Here is what you have to do:

• You can check your plant every day and trim dead leaves; if you can’t pay attention daily, then you must check on weekends.
• Pinch off herbs to encourage growth.
• Make sure you’re rotating bottles every few days for even sunlight.
• Watch for pests and use neem spray if needed.
• You can also refill the soil every 2 to 3 months, especially if it settles down.

And if you see that your bottle is getting slimy or smelly? You should empty it, clean it with diluted vinegar, dry it, refill fresh soil, and reuse it.

 

Harvesting—Eat What You Grow

Every vegetable has a different harvesting time period, but mostly, leafy vegetables and herbs are ready within 3 to 6 weeks. 

However, here are some tips for harvesting your homegrown herbs and Vegetables.

• Use scissors to snip leaves, and make sure it’s clean.
• Don’t uproot the plant; just harvest gradually.
• Suppose you’re using a little bigger container than a regular plastic soda bottle and growing tomatoes and chilies. So they’ll take longer, but if you see they’re turning red, it means they’re ready to harvest.

 

One Last Thing—Go Wild With It

When you are using used soda bottles or containers, you can add painted labels to them. 

You can also use color-coded caps, add fairy lights at night, and make a row of basil and chilies with hanging marigolds in between. 

Trust me, it will keep bugs away. Invite bees and grow food, and it will also make your house, like the railing, look more beautiful. 

As it is often recommended to those who want to decorate their home.

 

Conclusion

So, in this post, you’ve learned A DIY vertical garden with plastic bottles isn’t just a save-the-planet project. 

It’s a full-on vegetable patch—on your wall, your balcony, even hanging from a tree branch. 

I’m personally living in an apartment-like home where I have railings, windows, and a roof, and still, I’m growing vegetables in plastic bottles, containers, and other used materials.

If you don’t have time to grow or any previous gardening experience, then I would say you should start small. 

You can have a few used bottles and grow spinach in them. You can also have coriander, and then you can scale up once you see these little green heads start popping out. 

You can gradually get creative with where you want to hang them.

 

FAQs

If you have some doubts regarding growing vegetables in plastic bottles and DIY vertical gardening, let me clear them too:

 

How do you start growing vegetables in plastic bottles for a simple DIY vertical garden?

First of all, you want to grab a clean 1 or 2-liter plastic bottle.

After that, you have to slice a side opening or cut it in half, depending on how deep your crop’s roots grow. 

After that, you need a drainage hole at the bottom side and then fill that bottle with loose soil. Pick a vegetable that suits the bottle. 

Mostly small veggies are suitable, like spinach, lettuce, mint, coriander, etc. 

And then, you can hang the bottles using a rope, or you can also screw them on a wooden board vertically. 

However, once everything is done, you’ll have to water it and make sure your bottles are getting 4-6 hours of sunlight.

 

What are simple vegetable garden ideas using recycled materials?

There are many; for example, you can use plastic soda bottles for leafy greens, which I’ve discussed throughout the post. But besides Plastic bottles, you can also use other materials as an alternative; here are a few examples:

• Mount them on wooden frames.
• Repurpose old buckets for root veggies.
• Hang tin cans or milk cartons on balcony grills. 
• Stack crate shelves to save floor space.
• Even coconut shells work for herbs. 

I just want you to match the plant’s depth with the container depth and always add drainage holes.

 

Is it possible to grow herbs in old tin cans safely?

Yes, it’s 100% possible. You just need to clean them well and poke holes in the bottom for drainage. 

After that, you’ll have to add a layer of pebbles before the soil to stop root rot. 

Herbs like basil, thyme, or coriander don’t need deep soil; they love shallow containers like cans, so you can grow them in cans. 

However, make sure to place these cans on windowsills or railings that get at least 3 to 4 hours of sunlight. 

Also, make sure the metal doesn’t overheat under direct sunlight.